Head shaking, constantly scratching ears, head tilt. Do any of these behaviors sound familiar? Your pet might have ear mites. Ear mites are tiny external parasites that live in your pet’s ear canal. Otodectes cyanotis, otherwise known as ear mites, are very contagious little creatures. The adult mites can live up to 2 months in your pet’s ear contently feeding on ear wax and skin oils. If you think your pet may have mites bring him/her to your Veterinarian to get them checked out. The best way to diagnose this parasite is by having your Veterinarian take an ear swab from your pet’s ears. They will then look under the microscope and if your pet has mites this is what they will look like:

Mites here at Lazy Paw Animal Hospitals are usually treated with MilbeMite which is a one-time treatment for ear mites. Just simply squeeze out the pre-measured tube of medicine into each ear massage the ear canal.

 

Bringing your pet in as soon as they show any of these behaviors will help us to be able to distinguish between them having mites or an ear infection. In either case, feel free to make an appointment online or over the phone with us to help make your pet feel better faster!